The first instance comes as Jesus responds to a complaint by the Pharisees. These are not metaphors rather, they are declarations of God’s name, as applied by Jesus to Himself. There are two more “ I am” statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it is joined in vital union with the vine, only those who are joined to Christ and receive their power from Him produce fruit in the Christian life. The final metaphorical “I am” statement in the Gospel of John emphasizes the sustaining power of Christ. ![]() And Jesus alone is the source of life He is the Creator and Sustainer of all life and the Giver of eternal life. Scripture said that “The very essence of words is truth” (Psalm 119:160, NLT), and here is Jesus proclaiming that He is the truth-confirming His identity as the Word of God (see John 1:1, 14). Jesus is not merely one way among many ways to God He is the only way. This powerful “I am” statement of Christ’s is packed with meaning. “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). Apart from Jesus, there is neither resurrection nor eternal life. In raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus showed how He can fulfill Yahweh’s promise to ancient Israel: “ dead shall live their bodies shall rise” (Isaiah 26:19, ESV). He holds “the keys of death and the grave” (Revelation 1:18, NLT). Again, we see that Jesus’ teaching was not just empty talk when He made a claim, He substantiated it with action. Jesus made this “I am” statement immediately before raising Lazarus from the dead. “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). When Jesus called Himself the good shepherd, He unmistakably took for Himself one of God’s titles in the Old Testament: “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1). He is the One who willingly protects His flock even to the point of death (verses 11 and 15). With this “I am” statement, Jesus portrays His great love and care. “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber” (verse 1, ESV). He is the one and only way to enter the fold. Jesus’ words in this passage are couched in the imagery of a sheepfold. This “I am” statement stresses that no one can enter the kingdom of heaven by any other means than Christ Himself. Jesus’ words and actions echo Genesis 1:3, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” Jesus not only says He is the light He proves it. This second of Jesus’ “I am” statements in John’s gospel comes right before He heals a man born blind. “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12 9:5). But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die” (verses 49–50). At the same time, He contrasts what He can do with what Moses had done for their ancestors: “Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. In this case, Jesus states that He is the bread of life just after He had fed the 5,000 in the wilderness. In this chapter, Jesus establishes a pattern that continues through John’s gospel-Jesus makes a statement about who He is, and He backs it up with something He does. Here are the seven metaphorical “I am” statements found in John’s gospel: Whenever Jesus made an “I am” statement in which He claimed attributes of deity, He was identifying Himself as God. Thus, in Judaism, “ I AM” is unquestionably understood as a name for God. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14). In the Old Testament, God revealed His name to Moses: “I AM WHO I AM. They also link Jesus to the Old Testament revelation of God. Each of these “I am” proclamations furthers our understanding of Jesus’ ministry in the world. ![]() In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven statements beginning with the words I am.
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